AUSTRALIA ZOO WILDLIFE WARRIORS

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd was established in 2002, initially by Steve and Terri Irwin as a way to include and involve other caring people to support the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife - from the individual animal to an entire species.

Australia Zoo also covers all of the administration costs for Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors and provides other essential support where necessary. This means that 100% of all donations to the charity can be applied directly to where they are needed most, and make an immediate impact in the world of wildlife conservation.

In addition, the Zoo has provided Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors with offices, consulting staff for various projects, and the opportunity to promote the work of the charity to Zoo patrons for fundraising purposes.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

Steve Irwin Day, on November 15 2008, marked a milestone event in the history of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, with the much anticipated official opening of a ground-breaking new hospital facility like no other - the world's largest wildlife hospital and arguably Australia's "greenest" and best equipped wildlife treatment facility, nestled alongside Australia Zoo.

The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is a major project of Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors. It was Steve Irwin's dream to build the world's largest wildlife hospital at Beerwah to honour his mother Lyn, and to provide a lifeline for nature's innocent victims - providing sick, injured and orphaned wildlife with leading-edge treatment and rehabilitation before eventual release back to the wild.

This new facility will greatly expand the surgical, rehabilitation, research and training capabilities of the Hospital, which now has the scope to treat approximately 10,000 patients annually.

As the major sponsor of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Australia Zoo provided the land on which the Hospital was built and $1.2 million to assist with construction. Australia Zoo also provides ongoing financial support for the Hospital of $2 million annually fulfilling Steve's wish that all of the charity's administration costs be covered so that 100% of donations could be applied directly to saving Australian wildlife.

Our volunteers are an integral part of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital team. People decide to participate in our volunteer program for many different reasons, but the common element that draws our volunteers together is their love and passion for wildlife.

Many of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital volunteers have come to the hospital as part of their work experience programs for school or university, or to gain experience to help further their careers. Others decide to volunteer to find out what it’s like to be a Wildlife Warrior, or simply to experience a different field of work to their own. Many volunteers come just for fun! Volunteering at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is a rewarding experience. Volunteers get involved in enclosure cleaning, supplementary feeding of koalas, general maintenance, gardening and laundry duties.

In completing the volunteer program, there is no guarantee of employment at the end of your time. For the animals’ safety there is minimal hands-on contact for the volunteers with the animals. The importance of keeping the animals in an environment which is stress-free and similar to their natural habitat is a priority. This means no unnecessary contact. If you would like more clarification on this issue please contact the Volunteer Coordinator before you apply.

It is preferable that volunteers nominate a regular day or days each week to come in, or commit to the minimum of a week’s attendance.
This is because we do follow a roster and will need confirmation ahead of time that you will be here. It will also help in placing new volunteers with experienced ones – and the more consistent you are, the more you'll learn!